Lexington Medical Center’s cardiac rehabilitation programs have received prestigious certification from the American Association of Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehabilitation (AACVPR). The certification demonstrates that Lexington Medical Center’s cardiac rehabilitation programs are aligned with current evidence-based medicine and guidelines for appropriate and effective outpatient care of patients with cardiac issues.

Lexington Medical Center offers cardiac rehabilitation at the main hospital campus in West Columbia and at Lexington Medical Center’s community medical center in Lexington. Each facility received the certification through a separate application process.

The goals of cardiac rehabilitation are to help patients recover from cardiac events such as heart attack, stents or bypass surgery, and to help prevent another cardiac incident by developing healthy lifestyle habits through education and support.

“This national certification ensures that our cardiac rehabilitation programs provide all of the required components to assist patients in achieving these goals,” said John Leech, manager of Cardiac Rehabilitation at Lexington Medical Center. “Cardiac Rehabilitation at Lexington Medical Center is a comprehensive program with education, motivation and support that leads to the best possible outcomes.”

AACVPR-certified programs are awarded program certification after an extensive application process that details the program’s structure, individualized care plans, staff competencies and outcomes measurement. Certified programs are recognized as leaders in the field of cardiovascular and pulmonary rehabilitation because they offer the most advanced practices available.

There are three phases of cardiac rehabilitation at Lexington Medical Center. Phase 1 takes place while patients are still in the hospital after a recent cardiac event, surgery or procedure. It includes education on the anatomy of the heart, a description of their procedure or surgery and risk factors that lead to heart disease. Phase 2 is the outpatient program and it includes exercise, education, nutrition and psychosocial elements that patients follow for three months. Patients attend classes for 3 days per week for approximately 12 weeks. Phase 3 is a maintenance program of exercise and education that some patients continue for years.

Studies show that patients who participate in cardiac rehabilitation have a 46 percent reduction in mortality compared with non-participants. They often report reduction in symptoms, increased energy, better cholesterol and triglyceride levels, improvements in blood pressure, improved sleep and a quicker return to work and leisure activities.

While Lexington Medical Center has offered cardiac rehabilitation for more than twenty years, the hospital began offering a full range of cardiovascular services including open heart surgery and elective angioplasty in 2012. The cardiovascular program is affiliated with Duke Medicine. For more information, visit www.lexmed.com

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